An exploration of (photo)journalism

Shooting kitties and puppies

Every month, The York Dispatch produces a short video featuring three dogs and three cats available for adoption at the York County SPCA. It’s a small service for the community, and I’m told that the videos do help bring animals from the shelter to good homes.

Of course, this means that every month, a Dispatch photographer needs to shoot video and take photographs of three dogs and three cats. Today, I went with John to see how it’s done.

Crissy poses for York Dispatch photographer John A. Pavoncello at the York County SPCA on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, for the Dispatch's monthly "Take Me Home" video featuring three dogs and three cats.

I’ve never been to an SPCA or shelter before, since I haven’t been in a situation where I could own a pet, and seeing all the lonely cats and dogs kinda broke my heart.

“It’s best to make them look as cute and sad and pathetic as possible,” John told me before we entered the building.

Some of the animals were shy and needed some coaxing — but others were immediately curious about John and me.

Jade inspects York Dispatch photographer John A. Pavoncello's video camera at the York County SPCA on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, for the Dispatch's monthly "Take Me Home" video featuring three dogs and three cats.

To view past “Take Me Home” videos, go to the Dispatch video homepage and click through the categories, which are in tabs on the upper righthand side of the Flash viewer, until you get to the correct category.